Printing and registering mechanism



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Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrics.

ARTHUR PITNEY AND JACOB W. OGDEN, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOBS,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PITNEY-BOWES POSTAGE METER COMPANY, OF STAM- FORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF DELAWQQRE.

PRINTING AND REGISTERING HECHAN ISM.

Application filed April 5,

This invention is a machine designed for use by persons, firms or corporations having a great number of letters or packages to mail, to enable such users of the mail to buy any desired amount of prepaid postage from the Government, and print such amount ofstamps by this machine in any quantities that they desire, from time to time, until the total amount of postage which they purchased is exhausted; at which time the machine will automatically become locked so that no further stamps can be printed thereb v The complete machine embodies in brief a plurality of stamp printing membersjeach of a difi'erent denomination any one of which may be brought into operative position at the will of the operator; an impression mechanism whereby impressions may be taken from the printer; mechanism for registering the total amount in dollars and cents of the stamps print-ed by any and all the printing members; and mechanism whereby the total money value of stamps that may be printed can be determined and'when' such number is reached further effective operation of the machine will be prevented; mechanisms for locking the registering mechanisms or meter when removed from the machine; mechanism for locking the printingand impression mechanisms when the meter is removed therefrom; safety locking devices whereby improper use of the machine is prevented; and other novel features, novel combinations and details of parts hereinafter set forth.

' The invention provides means'whereby the owner of the machine can detach the meter,

take it to the post ofiice and purchase any desired amount of postage, for which he pays, the postal authorities setting the meter so that when it is replaced in the machine the owner can printstamps of any denomination in the machine in any order or quantity desired by the owner, until stamps equaling in value the total amount of the postage paid for have been printed, and then the machine cannot print any more stamps until more postage is paid for and the meter reset.

The invention further provides means whereby any one of a plurality of stamps may be readily printed at' the will of the 1922. Serial No. 549,734.

owner or operator of the machine; and the denomination of the stamps printed thereby can be changed at will.

The invention further provides novel means whereby the money value of each stamp printed is automatically registered in the machine and the money amount of stamps used also totaled as each stam is printed, in accordance with the denomination of the stamp printed, whether it be of higher or lower value; the registering being kept in dollars and cents, and not by mere numbers of operations of the machine. At the same time means are provided whereby the number of stamps printed by each stamping member may be individually registered if desired.

The invention further provides means whereby the balance of postage paid for but not used may be always readily determined.

This means comprises a subtracting register,

which is set in the meter by the post ofiice ofi'icial at the time the stamps are purchased a to show the amount of postage paid for; and which is automatically operated each time a stamp is printed so that the value of-each and every stamp printed is automatically deducted until the amount is exhausted whereupon the machine is locked.

The invention also provides means whereby when the metering devices are removed from the machine for the purpose of puri machine or when removed therefrom. The

invention also-provides means whereby the -machine cannot be effectively operated until the meter is properly positioned therein, and whereby cheating the Government by unauthorized tampering with the registers or cheating the owners of the machine by unauthorized use thereof by employees, or attempts to use the machine without registering the value of the stamps'used is prevented.

The invention further provides novel ters the amount of postage in dollars means for feeding a gummed strip of paper past the printing point to receive impressions from the printing die when the machine is in condition for operation;

The invention may be readily adapted to print the stamps directly upon the envelopes or to packages to be sent by parcel post; it

is also useful for printing postage stamps 1n the post offices; and would be particularly useful for small country post oflices where such machines could be used to print the 'stam s for sale, up to a certain amount for whic the postmaster may be bonded. and thus prevent the fre uent robbery ofstamps in such post ofiices. t would also be useful for installing at all the retail stamp windows in large city post ofiices; and particularly at the parcel post mailing departments of such post oflices.

The invention is also readily adapted and capable of use as a machine for printing Government revenue stamps for medicines;

and for printing theatre tickets, car tickets and the like, at the ticket selling ofiic es.

The printing is preferably done in colors to make the difference in denomination more easily recognizable. The entire amount of postage required for any parcel may be printed on one piece of paper, the various denominations of stamps, in their proper color, printed side by side. The meter regisfi an cents instead of the number of impressions of each die. Its mechanism is an adaptation of the adding machine, difierent dies setting differing stops within the meter, each die on being revolved for printing registers its proper amount in cents in the total of the upper register, and subtracts a like amount from the lower register.

Like the Pitney postage meter now in use (Patent No- 1,370,668, March. 8, 1921) a machine embodying the present invention can be charged or set for a predetermined amount and will be locked against further operation when that amount is exhausted.

The stamps printed by the machine should bear the name of the town, State and substation, denomination of stamp, permit and meter numbers, and day, hour and year of mailing in addition to the name and address of the mailer, which the ostal regulations provide must be indicated in the corner of the envelope or on the label attached to the package to which the printed stamps are afiixed to identify the mailer in case of counterfeit or fraudulent use of the meter. Each denomination of stamp can be and preferably is printed in a distinctive color, corresponding with that of the regulation postage stamps of same denomination; and each stamp printed being dated or postmarked precludes the possibility of its being salvaged and used again, as is possible with the so-called precancelled stamps now used.

We will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, which, however, is capable of changes in form, construction and combinations of parts within the scope of the invention. An understanding of said machine will enable others to adopt and use the invention for various purposes within the scope of the claims, which set forth the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for all of which protection is desired.

In said'drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of the complete machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the machine;

Figure 4 is a partial plan view and partial sectional view of the machine on the line 44, Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the meter;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the meter with the casing cut away;

Figure 7 is a 'top plan view of the meter with the cover broken away;

Figure 8 is a view of the meter with the face plate broken away, showing some of the interlor parts in section;

Figures 9,10, 11 and 12 are detail views of the registering mechanism in the meter, showing the parts in various positions assumed during the registering operations;

Figure 13 is a detail view of the locking mechanism;

Figure 14 is a front view of the meter detached;

Figure 15 is a detail section on the line 15-15, Figure 14;

Figure 16 is an enlarged plan view (below the table, showing part of box casting, above the table, in section) showing the various tripping devices and locking mechanism controlling devices;

Figure 17 is a detail ping mechanism Figure 18 is a detail view showing one of the safety locking devices;

Figure 1 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the paper feeding devices on the line 19-19 Fig. 3;

Figure 20 is an enlarged detail diagramside view of the tri Figure 26 is a detail view of the paperv guide;

Figure 27 is a detail section on the line 27-27, Fig. 26.

The machine as shown in the drawings comprises (1) a suitable base or support on which is mounted the printing means, comprising an adjustable stamp carrier containing a multiple of stamp carrying dies or members and means wherebyany one of such members can be operated when properly positioned at the printing point; (2) means for feeding a strip of paper past the printing point, (3) a meter containing registering mechanism-adapted to be operated by the mechanism which operates the stamp and paper feeding devices when the machine is in conditlon for operation, and to register the money value of the stamps printed by the machine, when the machine is adapted for use as a postage meter, in accordance with the value of the stamp printed."

The printing means and meter are. mounted upon a base plate 103 which is fastened to a top 1 of a. suitable hollow supporting member or trough2 which is mounted upon a suitable floor stand3 and support-s the operative arts at about the height of an ordinary ta Is in convenient position for manipulation by the operator. The meter 200 is also detachably attached to this plate 103 beside the printing mechanism as hereinafter explained. The paper feeding devices'are mounted upon the top 1 in proper relation to the printing devices; and the main opcrating mechanisms and the trip devices controlling the operations of the machine are preferably arranged beneath the plate 1 within the member 2.

The printing mechanisms are principa ly mounted on and in a boxlike casting 102, the open bottom side of which is completely closed by the plate 103, which plate projects a sufficient distance in front of the casting 102, to form a seat for the meter. The base plate 103 is secured to the casting 102 by screws and dowels and at'leastone of these screws 130, Fig. 3, is sealed so that no unauthorized person can remove it without leaving plain evidence of tampering. The Whole unit after assembly is slid in ways planed in the table 1 and fastened 'by screws from underneath. The table 1 is locked by a padlock to the trough 2 so that itcan only be lifted by the holder of the key, who should be a responsible person.

It is not intended that the printingmeans shall be frequently removed from the machine, but ifon demand it should be necessary to check it up with its meter it will be easily detached, if mounted in a slide similar to the meter. Taking it off the machine does not give access to the internal mechanism however, for it is still sealed by one or more of bottom cover screws 130, above mentioned.

' The printing devices.

In the construction shown in the drawings the printing mechanism comprises a plurality of printers or dies one for each denomination of stamp used in the machine mounted on a rotatable support. In the ex-- ample shown there are 5 such printers (see Fig. 1) which are adapted to print stamps of the amounts 1, 2e, 3, 5 and 10. These stamps are mounted on Vertical spindles journaled in a rotatable member 100 which may be conveniently formed of suitable cast- 1ngs.-

The part 100 (Fig. 3) carrying the printers or dies is fitted on a cylindrical standard 102 rising from the top of the supporting casting or box102 hereinafter more fully described.

The rotating member or head 100 is made in circular form at the bottom with over head arms 100 carried by a central support 100 which is bored to arunning fit on the standard 102*. The upper arms 100 carry the upper bearings 114 of the die shafts 112. The lower circular part of the rotatable head 100 is hollowed out on its under side and the flange 100 has a shoulder 100 turned in it as a locating point for the plate 101 which is securely fastened to it by screws (not shown in the drawings).

The printers or dies P may be of any suitable kind. As shown they comprise a sleeve 115 having a. radial projection on the peripheral face of which appears the desired printing surface;,as indicated in the drawings (see Figs. 3 and 24). Each printer is mounted on a die shaft 112 which has projections or keys 112 on its opposite sides. These keys are turned off at. the upper end where the shaft is journalled in the upper bearin 114. A flanged sleeve 112 fitting over an enclosing the keys, acts as a journal for the lower end of the shaft 112 and runs in the bearing 113. At the extreme lower end of the shaft 112 a flanged collar 112 is securely pinned; its lower endpassing through the plate 101 is slotted to fit the tongue of an Oldham coupling 108. The flanged upper end of the collar 112? bears against the flange of the sleeve 112 on one side and against the inner side of the plate 101 on the other prethe standard 102.

venting any vertical motion of the spindle 112. The printer die 115 is key slotted to fit the keys 112 on die shaft 112, and with the spacing collars 115 and 115 occupies all the space between the upper and lower bearings 114 and 113.

A circular projection or rib 102 is formed on the upper face of part 102 concentric with the standard 102, and of a radius equal to the center distance of the shaft 112 from Part of said projection is in line with the tongue of the Oldham coupling 108 and forms in effect a rigid continuation of the movable coupling, and said rib engages the slots of the collars 112 on all the die shafts 112 when they are not in printing position. This prevents the dies or printing members from being revolved on their own axes, when they are not in printin position, and it also keeps the slots in the col ars 112 in position to correctly register with and make connection with the coupling 108 whenever required.

In the bottom of the plate 101 is a circular groove 101 to receive the projection 102 on the base 102. This groove is cut through at the points where the die spindles protrude through the plate 101, but the slots in'the collars 112 aline with the groove and form therewith a continuous circular groove every part of which will be in engagement either with the rib 102 or with the tongue of the coupling member 108.

The object of this circular groove 101 and rib 102 is to lock the printing members ,or

dies 115 when not in printing position and prevent their rotation, and also to lock the shaft 104 and prevent its being turned when no die is in printing position.

Each die or printing member is provided with suitable inking means, which may be of any suitable kind, but are preferably constructed as follows: I

The inking roller 118 preferably made of felt is mounted on a stud 118 which is fastened to a plate 119 adjacent to each printer 115. Plate 119 is slidably mounted in a swivel block 120 which is fastened to the pivot 120 by the pin 121 The pivot 120 passes through both the bottom of the rotathead 100 and the plate 101. A collar 120 is pinned to the pivot 120 between 100 and 101 and prevents vertical motion of pivot 120. butallows it to turn on its axis. A catch 122 (Fig. 1) is pivoted on the stud 122 and held against the piece 120 by the spring 122, and holds the piece 120 in such a position that the ink roller 118 will be in line with the printing die 115. A gaugepin 124 is set in the floor of the rotating ead 100 in such a position that will bring its surface, and the printing surface of the die 115, an equal distance from the center ofthe pivot 120 The stud 128 limits the oscillating movement of the block 120 in pin 124; this is the roller that inks the 29$ die shown on the right. The method of and means for adjusting the ink roller and holding it fast after it has been adjusted, is described in Ogden Patent No. 1,890,156, September 6, 1921, and needs no further explanation herein.

A spring catch 125, mounted on the case 102 and can be engage in any one of the notches 100 cut on the rim of the rotating-head 100, so that any one of the several dies may be correctly alined with the shaft 104 in the base or in printing position. There is one notch 100 for each printing member or die, and one extra notch 100, Fig. 1, is provided and so located that when it is engaged by the catch 125, none of the dies will be in printing position. It is only when the head 100 is set in this neutral or ineffective printing position that the meter can be removed, as hereinafter described.

To bring any printer to printing position, thehead 100 is turned until the clutch memher 112 of the desired printer registers with the clutch member 108, as indicated in Fig. 3 and then it can be operated by power transmitted to such member 108.

As shown, member 108 is part of a socalled Oldham coupling, the other member of which is connected to the upper end of Figs. 1 and 2, is

"a shaft 104 vertically mounted within the tical shaft 104, communicates the motion of shaft 104 to mechanism in the meter 200 as hereinafter described. A collar 107, Fig. 4, is pinned fast to the end of shaft 107 and its end is grooved to fit a corresponding tongue cut in the end of the meter driving shaft 204 making the necessary coupling. A horizontal shaft 111 connected with the vertical shaft 108 by the helical gears 109 and 110 communicates the motion of shaft 108 to the indexing cam shaft 205 of the meter. A collar 111*, Fig. 4,.pinned to end of shaft 111 similar to'collar 107 on shaft 107 makes the necessary coupling. The helical gears 109 and 110 are keyed to their shafts and they have the same number of teeth so that any rotary motion of shaft 108 will cause shaft 111 to rotate in equal ratio with it. Spacing collars 108 and 111 are placed between the gears 109 and 110 and the bearings of their respective shafts.

A small counter 116 may be mounted on each overhead arm 100 of the rotating head 100 and operatively connected-to the adjacent die spindle 112. It registers every revolution of the adjacent die and is introduced as a check on the meter. This counter is made with an extra long spindle 116 Fig. 24. The die shaft 112 has a hole 112 drilled through its entire length and a smaller cross hole 112 drilled near the bottom end at a point which is covered by the sleeve 112 The counter is securely" fastened to the bracket 100 of the overhead arm 100 so that its spindle 116 passes through the hole 112 in shaft 112. A cross hole is drilled in counter spindle 116 in line with cross hole 112 of counter shaft. A small pin 117 is passed through both 112 and 116 which forces the spindle 116 to revolve with the shaft 112. The pm 117 cannot come out as the sleeve 112 surrounds the hole 112 The object of carrying this fastening down into the body of the mechanism is to make it impossible to break the connection without having access to the interior of the machine, and this is prevented by the locks.

The top or table 1 is hinged to the trough 2 which in turn is bolted to a suitable floor stand 3, Figs. 2 and 3. The trough 2 acts as a dust proof enclosure for various working parts and also as a support for the table. The table is hinged to it so that the parts may be easily accessible for lubrication, inspection, etc.

The impression dem'ces.

Above the table 1 and suitably placed to produce impressions from the die that happens to be in printing position is mounted an impression member which may be of any suitable kind and construction, adapted to cooperate with the printer in making impressions when paper or mail matter, etc. is passed therebetween. As shown the impression member comprises a sector 4, Figs. 1, 2,

3, 19 and 25, which is provided with a recess in its outer face in which is secured a preferably rubber faced block 4, whose rubber face 4 is molded to conform to the circumference of the sector 4 and provides the resiliency necessary for producing a clear 1mpression from the printing surface on the printer.

Projecting rearwardly from sector 4, 1s a shorter sector arm 4, having an are shaped slot through which extends a friction member (described later) designed to prevent the upper and lower sections ofthe sector 4 is an arm 14 (Figs. 3, 19 and 25) to the outer end of which are fastened two flat segmental plates 15, which are situated one over and one under the sector 4, which can move freely between them. A distance piece 16 is interposed between and fastened to the plates 15, and passes freely through a curved slot in sector 4. Each plate 15 has a curved tongue 15 on its inner face, which engages corresponding slots 4 in the top and bottom of the sector 4 and acts as guides for the travel of plates 15. Each plate 15 jcting toward each other, and the radius of the inside surface'of each lip 15 is very slightly eater than the radius of the sector 4. clamp 17 shaped like a pawl is pivoted to each plate 15 and pressed against the inner side of the lip 15 by a spring 17.

The stops 18 and 19 located on the shelf 7 O limit the travel of the arm 14. Sector 4 is loosely mounted on a vertical shaft 8 which is supported by and has its bearing in a bracket 9 which is preferably adjustably fastened to the table 1, to enable the impression member to be adjusted toward or from the printer to regulate the impression pressure.

The shaft 8 extends through the table 1 and on the lower end of shaft 8 is fastened a lever arm 10 (see Figs. 3 and 25, and at the upper end of shaft 8 is also fastened by key and set screw a lever arm 6 which straddles .the sector 4 at the shaft. At the outer end of the arm 6, are pivoted two links 7 Figs. 1 and 19 and 25, one above and one below the sector 4, which links lie in the same plane as the plates 4 -of the sector 4. The outer ends of these links 7, are pivoted to the heel of the clamp 5, in such a way that any motion of the lever 6relative to sector 4 will cause the clamp 5 to rock on its bearings in the plates 4. 1

The arm 14, has a rearwardly extending sector 14 which is slotted like the arm 4, and for the same purpose, both of them engaging the same friction member.

This friction member consists of a sleeve 25 (Figs. 3 and 24) loosely mounted on a stud 24 which is secured to the bracket 9.

.The sleeve 25 is flanged near its bottom end,

clear through the curved slots in the arms 4 and 14 Friction disks 26, of cork or leather, are placed on the sleeve 25, one between the flange on sleeve 25, and the arm 4*, one between the arms 4 and 14 and one on top of the arm 14 between it and a steel disk 27. A spring 28 is interposed between the disk 27 and the nut 29 and forces the friction disks to bear on the faces of both the arms 4 and 14, giving the desired friction. The nut 29 makes it possible to vary the amount of resistance as required.

The machine shown is adapted to print stamps upon a strip of suitable material, preferabl gummed paper. As shown (Figs. 1 and 25 a strip of paper S is led from a roll 20 loosely mounted on a stud 21 on cover 70, to and between two parallel guide plates 22 mounted on the said cover, and then led around the curved surface of the printer sector 4 and between such surface and the guide flanges 15 on the plates 15. The strip 20 is wide enough to fill the space between the plates 15 so that its edges are held by clamps 17 against the inner face of the flanges 15 while the body of the strip covers the face of the platen 4 of the sector 4. The lates 22 are formed with registering openings 22, (Figs. 26 and 27) through .which the head 23 of a detector lever 23 could project if not prevented by the pressure of the strip of paper S. The stri of paper between the plates normally hol s the member 23 in the position shown in Fi 1 and 25. This member 23 is attache to the upper end of a rod 55 hereinafter referred to. The head of lever 23 presses slightly against the strip S and acts as a drag or brake thereon wh1ch prevents the accumulation of slack in the strip between the plates 22 and the impression member or printing point; The lever 23 also serves as a safety device and trip for the purpose hereinafter explained.

On the lower end of shaft 8 (Figs 3, 24 and 25) directly below the lever arm 10, is loosely pivoted a lever arm 11 to the outer end of which arm is attached the link 12, which at its other end engages with the race cam 13. (Fig. 25.) The cam revolving in the direction of the arrow imparts a reciprocating motion to the arm 11. The arm'll has a projection 11 on its end, adapted to engage the arm 10 and communicates its motion to it, when moved in the direction of the arrow. A spring 10 is connected to the arm 10 to effect its return with the arm 11.

The cam 13 is suitably geared to the drive of the printer and revolves in the same direction and at the same speed as the'printer. The arms 10 and 6 on the shaft 8, being fast thereto, any movement of arm 10 W111 be communicated through shaft 8 to arm 6.

ing pushes the links 7 and rocks the clamp 5 in towards the circumference of the impression member or sector 4 which is preferably slightly nicked to engage the clamp. Sector 4 because of the friction applied to the arm 4, remains at rest while the aforesaid movements of parts 6, 7 and 5 takes place. The gummed paper strip S lying between the clamps and the surface of the sector 4 is caught and clamped tightly therebetween. Continuing its forward motion the arm 6, through the pressure itexerts on the clamp 5 carries both sector 4 and tape 20 (or S) with it, the strip S slips forward past the clamps 17 and the die makes an imprint on the part of the strip S which lies over the rubber cushion 4 Before the sector 4 has completed its forward travel the end of its curved slot 4 therein engages the distance piece 16 of the plates 15 and carries them forward to the end of the stroke at which time the arm 14 rests against the stop 18. After the printing surface of the printer has cleared the sector 4, and while it is completing one revolution, the plates 5 and sector 4 are returned to first position.

At the beginnin of the return movement, the sector 4 is hel d stationary by the friction member, and the arm 6 with the links 7 move back, the clamp 5 is first rocked out of engagement with'the sector 4, releasing its hold on the strip S, which is held by the clamps 17. A hook 7 of the upper link 7 then engages a detent in the plate 4 and pulls said plate and the sector 4, back to the first position as at the start. On this return movement, the other end of slot 4 in sector 4 engages the distance piece 16 and returns the plates 15 to their original first position also. On the return movement of the plates 15, the part of the strip S, which is clamped to them by clamps *17, is moved back also. This backing up of the strip S shortens the blank space between the several impressions, and for this purpose the arm the tape between the travel of the roller 12 of link 12 in making the steep descent in the cam slot 13 is assisted by the pull of the spring 10.

The printing surface of the die will not interfere with the clamp 5 because it is moved out of the way at the time the die passes the point of contact with the sector. Clearance over and under the die is provided for the projecting parts 4 and 7.

Any suitable devices may be used for severing the printed stamp from the strip. As shown, Figs. 1 and 19, a pair of shears 31 and 32 is mounted on and'between the guide plates 15 to cut the printed tape as desired. The fixed blade 31 is fastened to a block 30 rigidly secured to and between the plates 15. The movable blade 32 is hinged to block 30, and its upper end passes through a slot in plate 35, which is fastened on top of the upper plate 15. A back guide 33 is alto fastened to block 30, and a front guide 34 is fastened to plate 35 to guide the blades of the shears, the cutting being effected by the operator moving the protruding end of the hinged blade 32 with his fingers.

As the last stamp printed on the strip lies between the shears and sector 4, it is necessary to rock the sector 1 by hand without printing another stamp, in order to feed the strip forward and to move the last imprint to the outside of the shears. To accomplisl-i this a knurled knob 36 is securely fastened to the top end of the shaft 8 (Figs. 3-2 1) and by turning this knob, all the strip feeding operations above described as having been performed automatically by the driving action of the cam 13, can be done-by hand, without moving the printer, and consequentlv without putting an imprint on the strip. his is because the lever 10 is free to move (in the direction of the arrow 1n Fig. 25) independently of the power derived from the positively driven lever 11.

In order to prevent an impresslon being made if there is no tape between the printing die and impression pad, the lever 23 which acts as a drag on the movements 0 the tape between the guide plates 22, is connected with the tripping mechanism (hereinafter described) below the table 1. The gummed strip S is usually fastened to the spool; and a rectangular hole-F1g. 261s punched through the tape a proper distance from its inner end'and when this punche part of the strip passes between the plates 22, the headof lever 23 will be able to pro ject throughthe hole in the strip, and 1n so doing, it actuates devices whlch automatically renders the printing devlces inoperative as hereinafter described. The hole in the tape should be made longenough to allow the completion of the pr1nt1ng of a stamp on a preceding part of the str1p 1n the event the lever 23 projects through such hole at the beginning or duringthe course of a printing operation. 1

The registering mechanism.

It is essential when this invention is to be used for postage stamping or ticket selling machines and the like that the money value of all stamps or tickets printed thereby shall be registered and as these may vary in value (according to whichever stamp or printer is being used, and according to the number of impressions made from the various stamps or printers) it provides means for accurately registering the amount of each and any stamp printed, and for this purpose we have provided novel mechanism whereby the inoney value of each and every stamp printed is registered so that at any time the total money value of the stamps printed thereby; can be determined. Furthermore we provide'mechanism whereby when a predetermined money value of stamps has been printed the machine will be rendered ineffective and further printing operations pre vented.

The registering mechanism is contained in what we term the meter; and in the preferred form of the machine this meter is bodily attachable to and detachable from the machine; and mechanism is provided whereby when the meter is properly positioned in the machine it is automatically operatively connected with the printing mechanism and will register the amount of each and every stamp printed no matter in what order or 100 sequence the stamps are used or how frequently the stamps are changed in the -machine.

And we also provide means whereby the meter is locked against tamperers when re- 105 moved from the machine; also means whereby the printing mechanism is locked in inoperative condition when the meter is removed from the machine.

The meter. no

The meter consists of a counting mechaf nism, hereinafter described, mounted on a base 201 and enclosed in a case 200 (Figs. 1-4). The case is securely fastened to the base and the fastenings are covered by a sliding plate 202 (Fig. 6) which is locked in position by a.spring latch 203 (Fig. 6). This latch is inaccessible and once snapped d in place cannot be withdrawn without drilling through the plate 202, thus leaving unmistakable evidence of tampering with the meter.

The worklng connections between the meter and machine include the meter drive shaft 204 driven by a shaft 107 in the machine and the meter cam shaft 205 driven by a shaft 111 in the machine (Figs. 3 and 4) as hereinafter explained. Inside the meter is a shaft 204 connected by miter gears 206 and 13 

